Staff Correspondent
Port Blair, Aug 05: The launch of the IAF Dornier flight service for civilian passengers in the Port Blair-Car Nicobar-Campbell Sector has stamped approval on the commitment of the incumbent Lt. Governor towards welfare of the islanders.
Since assuming charge as the Administrator of these islands in 2013, Lt. General A K Singh (Retd) has achieved several milestones – establishment of Medical College, ANCOL, Community College, Chartered flight service – to name a few and Friday’s launch of Dornier flight services has scripted history as never in past defence aircrafts have been utilised for civilian services except for crisis situations.
On IAF Dornier service was jointly flagged off by the Lt. Governor, A & N Islands, Lt. Gen. A.K. Singh (Retd.) and the Chief Secretary, A & N Administration, Mr Anindo Majumdar at the Terminal.
It may be recalled that following the suspension of CRJ flight operated on Delhi-Bhubaneswar-Port Blair and the chartered flights on Port Blair-Car Nicobar sector, the Lt. Governor promptly took up the issue with the Aviation Ministry to cater the needs of the remote passengers in the Nicobar group of islands.
It is learnt that this aircraft has been provided after demand raised by local Administration, under the guidance of Lt. Governor of A & N Islands.
This flight has ushered in a new era in the aviation history of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Resident population in the 38 islands among these islands has no means of transport other than ships. Aerial transport in the former of Pawan Hans helicopters is available to very few islanders.
The additional fixed wing Air Force aircraft will add a new dimension to passenger traffic in the Islands, by providing a much faster transportation alternative with a longer reach to the islanders.
General public of these Islands have lauded the efforts of the Lt. Governor, the civil aviation department and whole administration for this achievement.
